Milan & mixed success with the three Rs

Between 2002 and 2008, AC Milan signed Brazil superstars Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. None of them were brilliant, but Milan just kept on trying.

When one thinks about Rivaldo, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho as a trio, one tends to think of the 2002 World Cup.

It was there that the ‘Three Rs’ formed one of the deadliest attacking units seen in football, scoring 15 goals between them — more than nine percent of the tournament’s total — and earning big-money moves shortly thereafter.

But another common thread between the Brazilians can be found, not in Japan and South Korea, but in Italy.

For it was to Italy, to AC Milan, where all three ‘Rs’ eventually headed following successful spells in Spain — Rivaldo and Ronaldinho with Barcelona, Ronaldo with Real Madrid.

Curiously, however, all three players arrived marginally past their prime, and none quite lived up to expectations.

So just why did Milan keep returning for these old Brazilians?

2002: Rivaldo

As the three Rs helped Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, Ronaldo scooped the Golden Boot and young Ronaldinho made a name for himself with several electric performances.

But it was the eldest of the trio, 30-year-old Rivaldo, who most exceeded expectations. Playing in a creative role behind Ronaldo, the skilful Barcelona attacker was at times unplayable, even contributing five goals to Brazil’s cause.

His performances alerted an ambitious AC Milan. Two years earlier, the Italian side had attempted to lure Rivaldo to San Siro after missing out on the signing of Spanish midfielder Javier Farinos to city rivals Inter.

It didn’t happen then, but problems at Barcelona meant that they got their chance again after the World Cup. Rivaldo signed on a free transfer, picking up wages of more than €90,000 a week.

“There wasn’t any alternative for AC Milan because he is a great player,” said Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani.

A great player he was, yet Rivaldo could never repeat his World Cup heroics in a Milan shirt.

As the club fought their way to become Champions League winners at the end of the 2002-03 season, Rivaldo was playing a bit-part role, having failed to form an understanding with his attacking team-mates.

In the final victory against fellow Italian side Juventus, the Brazilian sat on the bench as Clarence Seedorf and Rui Costa provided the creativity from midfield.

Despite his disappointing campaign, a visibly frustrated Rivaldo was still able to score in the Coppa Italia…